Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-12-21

/ Cast, put tnat she had never heard
from either parent what their former
position had been, or by what misfort-
une it had been lost. MIR. Emerton
was OF very retiring disposition, and
never encouraged any one to intimacy,
and this was the reason that Mary for
so long objected to Franks making
himself and his wishes known TO her
father. She feared that this would end
her sweet romance, and that the pleas
ant walks and happy castle-building
they both indulged in would come to
an abrupt conclusion.
One Saturday evening, Mary was
busy In making preparations for tea of
SO sumptuous nature in that humble
nome. that IL was evident company
was expected. She went about the lit
Tie room, gaily singing, her eyes bright,
her lace lit up with joyful expectation.
And this was the cause. Her story
had been confided to her mother, by
whom IL had been, somewhat hesi-
tatingly., communicated TO the father,
who had received 1t more graciously
than had been expected. Mr.. Emerton
had at once admitted that Frank should
be invited to visit them; but said that
what might occur in the future must
depend on what he thought of the
young man, and how he-Frank-
would receive the communication he
had TO make to him.
y knock was heard at the door.
Mary ran to open it, and after longer
time than might have been absolutely
necessary, she ushered into the little
parlor Mr.. Frank Denton"
Now did the anxious Frank make
the most strenuous exertions to please
the old people, and there is no doubt
he fully succeeded. Still, Mr.. Emer-
toms face was clouded during the re-
past, as though there were some great
care OF anxiety which would keep OBJ
trudlng upon his pleasanter thoughts.
Frank lost no time IN coming to the
great question he had upon his mind,
and after explaining his paTentage,
position and future prospects, he, hold
ing out his hands 10 father and mother,
asked them to entrust their daughter
to his care.
Mr.. Emerton arose and walked a few
times up and down the room, then re-
suming his seat. he said:
Mr.. Denton. l thank you for the
straightforward manner in which you
have dealt with US. and 1 welcome the
thought of having such a protector for
my dear girl. l am getting old, and
her future has often given ME much
anxiety. l am poor, and if you take
her as your wife, you must take her for
herself alone. This you know; but l
have something far more important to
say, and, until you have heard it, /
must consider that your offer has rOt
been made. There is a cloud resting
upon my name and life, which has
caused me for years 10 hold myself
aloof from all acquaintanceShip or
friendship-has obliged me to earn a
poor livelihood by hard and incessant
labor, and has condemned my girl TO
daily toll.
Fifteen years ago L held good po-
sition in a city house. There were only
two clerks above me, and had things
prospered with me, 1 might by this
time have had a share IN the business.
I knew the work. thoroughly, was
shTewd and fortunate IN what l under
! TOOK, was respected, and, L thought,
! trusted thoroughly. The junior part
ner, always fancled, dIsliked me, yet
| | cannot say that he ever acted unjustly
| towards me, or that his feelings ever
/ did more than bias his judgment against
me. One day there had been a great
rush of business, and during the morn
I Alk NlAC VI NAlC pal ANA4CA AetAACd
/ over $500 in bank notes that was to
/ pay into the bank later in the day. i
/ thought at the time that had opened
my desk and pushed them in a corner,
/ but l may have laid them on the desk
/ at the side of ledger l was consulting.
/ However, l soon afterwards went out
/ TO luncheon. locking my desk carefully,
/ according 10 my custom, before L went
/ In the afternoon 1 was preparing TO go
/ to the bank, and opening the desk felt
i for the notes in the corner where /
| imagined l had placed them. / could
not feel them, and opening my desk To
| its widest extent, 1 looked with anxiety
/ in every corner, but, TO my horror, in
vain. At that moment the junior
partner came up and asked me what
made me look SO white. Was L i'll! L
/ could hardly gasp out:
"The notesl-lostl"
| 'sue assisted me In the search, but
| the missing notes were not TO be found.
at is very peculiar" l said.
at is indeed very peculiar" said
johnson, eyeing me in strange,
searching manner.
There WAS much excitement in the
| office; everyone was questioned and
| cross-examined, but no information
could be obtained. In more than one
private interview with the partners l
was compelled to admit that l had no
reason to suspect anyone. l had locked
my desk before going out, and 1t was
certainly very unfortunate that had
left the office between the receiving OF
the notes and the discovery of the loss.
The Junior partner was very persistent
in cross-examlng me, and probably my
anxiety and bewilderment may have
given me the air of one who was pre-
varicating. Suffice it to say that my
employers, forgetting my faithful ser
vice of twenty years, requested me tC
resign my appointment No protesta.
tions of mine were of any avail. They
evidently thought that had given way
to temptation, and L retired broken
hearted man. 1t was useless for me t
try for employment in the city witt
such grave suspicion resting on my
character. l got rid of my house ant
furniture, aud took this little cottage
where l have lived ever since, After
trying many things, l obtained work a:
, "A copyist and have contTived on the
money thus earned to keep up a shabby
respectability. Yes, sir, L am poor
shabby, old, living IN back street
under an assumed name, but, by Hea
ven, an honest man-an honest man
| Now that you have heard my story, IL
you ask me to give you my daughter?'
s'Yes-a thousand times, yesi" sait
Frank, jumping up and taking tn,
r weeping girl In his arms. II do asl
you, and l firmly and heartily believ,
; that l am taking the honest daughte
{ of an honorable man."
"Oh, Frank, dear Frank, bless yor
/ for YOUR words" said Mary. Th
{ mother came to him, and taking hi
hand, kissed it in gratitude for his faitl
) IN one so precious 10 her loyal old heart
! The two men grasped hands in tina
5 cordial firm grip that means true an
, loyal friendship.
They had resumed their seats, ant
r were chatting about the city and com
? merce when Mr.. Emerton said:
5 II wonder if my old hrm-Smith